Day 4 - Getting my groove back

I am not a fan of the eggs here, so I had a bagel thin with peanut butter instead

Today's hike was Hiden Pinion , I enjoyed it so much more than yesterdays even though there was more elevation, sand and climbing up rocks.  The scenary was beautiful and everyone in my van enjoyed themselves.  I spoke to one of the hike guides Tracy and she said she was afraid driving back to the resort after yesterday's hike, everyone was so quiet she was afraid she was going to get stabbed after how everyone felt about the hike....of course she was kidding but that's the kind of morning yesterday was.

Van 6 sitting pretty

Feeling like we are on top of the world!

One of my hike guides Tracy
She loves getting hold of my camera and snapping pictures

Forgot to write yesterday that we had a Q&A in the evening with Sarah Nitta, she is a Biggest Loser contestant from last year and currently employed by Fitness Ridge as Social Media director and motivator.
One thing I took away from what she said was 'Getting your mind in the right place and your body will follow"
I thought that was a pretty accurate thing on what I am working on.

Today there is a transition happening with departing guests and stay-over guests.  They offer lectures on preparing you for going home and since I have another week here and I did not want to go to the cooking demonstration after lunch I went and did Gym class which was in the new building that they have added on since my last visit.  I had a blast playing badminton, the other half of the gym they were playing something called Pickle Ball, which I am sure I will experience in the next week.

The day rounded out with Ball class, which is not as easy as it sounds and then Treading which is a cardio class.  Again I did not go in the pool, but did a double Treading class....I was tired when I finished.

I can't believe tomorrow is friday already...

Day 3 - Wednesday Blah

Well, the hike today was not one of my favorites here.  It was called Brooks Pond and I am not sure if it was because it was wednesday and just exhaustion or what, but nobody on my van enjoyed it really,  I think the front hike guide may have gone out too fast and we spent most of the time watching our feet to make sure we didn't slip and fall.

The good thing was that the day got better as it went.  After talking to a couple of the trainers here about some stuff I started feeling better.  On top of that today I had my favorite class, Kickboxing with Sharon.  It is a great way to get rid of some frustration, by punching and kicking a heavy bag.

It cooled down today, I think It only got up to 14 or 15C, so I did not go to pool class (the pool is heated and they have pool class all year round...even if it is snowing), but its the getting out that is not fun.  Now I didn't get to freely skip a class and take a nap, instead I double up on my cardio class...mountain.

Here is hoping that tomorrow's hike is better than todays and that I am not as sore and tired.

Day 2

My new friend Barb from Alberta being goofy in the morning

So, another day of getting my butt kicked, and I survived.
Well, the morning hike was in Snow Canyon, called White Rock.  Another amazing and beautiful hike.

My great group, Van #6

Butterfly rock

Shadow puppets....Having fun on the hike!

Pulling a Julia Roberts on Piano Rock

So,  the hike I went out to a few places like "Stair Mistress", which seemed to be straight up (well, maybe a bit of an exaggeration) and Piano rock, which you can see I had fun at.

After the hike I went to stretch class which was taught by the new trainer here, Sione, who is a previous Biggest Loser contestant on Season 7, and not too hard on the eyes.
The rest of the day was rounded off by Deep Water Suspension, Cardio Interval and Total Toning as well as 2 lectures...man I have to say I am tired and sore today.
The one thing I am glad about is that a had a really good night sleep last night, which was really great.

Well, I think that is it for tonight as I am writing this while I am watching the Biggest Loser on TV in our lovely new lounge, flat screen tv and butter soft leather couches.

Round 2 - Day 1.....I'm Back!!!!!!

Well, I am back for my second visit to Fitness Ridge here in beautiful Utah.

I spent Saturday night in Las Vegas, staying at the Trump Towers.  It was a nice hotel  and for me I liked the fact that it does not have a casino in it,so it is not all smokey and I didn't gamble any way.

I arrived in Utah on Sunday and I think I was in the pool and enjoying the lovely 28C sunny weather within an hour on arriving here, very nice!

Monday arrived and I started my day at 6am with a yogalates stretch class...it was nice to stretch my muscles out.  After breakfast I headed out for my assessment hike called Anastasi, It was a nice hike.

Beautiful Red Mountains

You can see my resort there on the right from my hike

Some Petrogliffs on the rocks

 The hike went well, except I started feeling my left knee acting up....not happy.  I iced my knee after lunch and supper, so all is well.
I rounded out my day with a couple lectures and 3 more hours of working out.  I think the Core class with Nicole was my favorite, it kicked my butt and it felt great!
Now dinner was another story, not that it wasn't really good, but I sat down to eat it and I had no appetite.  I think I am a bit dehydrated from the working out , the 3000ft elevation here and my recent plane ride.  But, I forced myself to slowly eat it and I did because I know how important it is to eat the food they give you here.

Yummy Chicken and Polenta 

Funny, I had no problem eating this at  all!!

 Well, that is if for today, I am tired and trying to fend out dehydration and the bed it calling me.

Wrapping it up and Referrals

I know, I know I have been home for a 2 weeks now and I haven't posted a wrap up blog of my trip.
So, here it goes.

Sunday I slept in a bit, I think it was 7, which after getting up @ 0530 was great. I "tested out" at 730 and these are my results:
         weight loss = 16lbs
         inches loss = 10 inches between my chest, waist
                              and hips
         body fat % = down 2.3%
         BMI = down 2.9

Overall I am happy with the results, but lets be realistic, of course I wanted more.  But hey this is my journey and though my 4 weeks at Fitness Ridge are over I am not done with working on myself.

Nicole (one of the trainers) and myself at graduation Saturday night.

 The flight home on Sunday was uneventful and I was home by 2am.  The good thing was that Monday was a holiday so I had the day to rest up and get organized for work on Tuesday.

One thing I wanted to mention is the Referral Program they have at Fitness Ridge.  If you decide to go to The Biggest Loser at Fitness Ridge in either Utah or Malibu and mention that I referred you then you will get $100 off your trip and I will get $100 off a future trip of mine, so a win for both of us.
And yes, I have already booked my next trip.  I will be going the last week of October and first week of November.  No Cuba trip for me this year for my birthday, instead I will be in Utah for an early birthday present to myself.

The 4 weeks  I spent in Utah were just amazing.  Oh they were tough, I was exhausted, sore, in pain, emotional...think I shed a tear or two.  But oh so rewarding and I was so glad I had the courage to venture out into the unknown and get my butt kicked from here to Utah and back! The entire staff is great and the trainers are just awesome, they are so encouraging, supportive and motivational.  So, If anyone is thinking 'should I go, should I spend the money and be away from my family', the answer is a resounding YES, you are worth it....!

Day 27 - Last Workout day!

So today is my last day, and because it is Saturday, it is only half a day.

Dinner was very good.

Today I chose to do West Canyon hike.  It is a nice hike, not too difficult, but you go at your own pace.  Today I felt my tank was running on empty, I was so exhausted, so my hiking was not at a quick pace at all.

I finished off the day with a stretch class and somehow was able to do a mountain class.

View I have when I am on the treadmill

You can't beat the view, looking out at the beautiful mountains.

Saturday night is graduation night.  They show us a dvd of some video and pictures of the past week and we all get a copy of it.  They do a really good job of putting it together.  Afterwards they pass the microphone around and ask you to say a few words of something about your week if you wish.  I passed on saying anything in previous weeks, but spoke today and maybe shed a tear.

Tomorrow I "test out", I get weighed, measured and body fat percentage all get redone.  Then I fly home

Day 26 - Final Friday!

Today was my last full day here.  The hike I went on today was Scout Cave, which I did a couple days ago, but it is a beautiful hike and I really enjoyed it.

Salmon burger, so good!

I had a great stretch class after breakfast, which was well needed.  The afternoon consisted of circuit class, zumba and then a pool class.  Originally I was planning on doing double circuit class followed by pool, therefore skipping zumba.  But I ended up giving it all in curcuit class and therefore no energy to do another one, so zumba it was.  I didn' t think I would enjoy zumba, but I had a lot of fun. Even better than that I had a great surprise, my friend Emily who I met here my first 2 weeks popped in for a quick visit.  Her daughter is doing a mini - triathlon in the area.  She then came back in the evening and we sat and talked for about an hour, it was so nice to see her.

Day 24 and 25

So, Wednesday first.  Today's hike was Scout Cave.  I really liked this hike, dirt, volcano rock and rocks.

Today was a good day, followed by a nice massage!

Thursday's hike was Red Mountain Trail

.  The majority of the hike was different than what we had done in the past.  It was mainly through the wet sand, and some rocks, but we were in the trees the whole time until we reached the "Overlook".  I almost felt like I was hiking at home a bit.
When we got to the "Overlook" we had an amazing view.

I tweaked my left knee again on this hike (not happy). So the hike I was suppose to go on with my group I will not be doing tomorrow.  I will probably do Scout Cave again with another group.  I am icing my knee so it should be fine to do that hike.

Day 23 - Stop Sign no more!

Ok so first thing is yesterday I forgot to say that I got a letter from my youngest niece Michelle.  Thank you Michelle I loved it.

So today the hike was again Stop sign, my least favorite, but I did manage to take another 4 minutes off my time so that was good.

The rest of the day was good.  I am doubling up on my cardio classes now and not going to pool class to get the best calorie burn.  I just want to squeeze the most out of this place these last few days.

I got a card from my Mom today, made me cry and miss her so much, thanks Mom!

Day 22 - Last Week

Today's hike was Upper Gila, which I have not done before.  I enjoyed the hike, it had sand, dirt, rocks and climbing over rock formations.

So, today we started hiking early and had breakfast when we came back.  I didn't mind it too much and we were back from the hike around 09:15.  The day was tough, but I did manage to laugh in all my classes. I want to enjoy every class here and really give it my all.

I returned my rental car today, and I managed not to get pulled over by the police...haha

Day 21 - Skyping with Kristina

Sunday, day of rest and saying good bye to departing guests.

I always find if very odd, all week you are on this regimented schedule and then they tell you to rest and relax in Sunday.  So, I had a leisurely breakfast and hung around the dining room and said a few goodbyes to some very nice people.

I decided to take advantage of having wheels and went to church today. I did manage to find a non-mormon church, though they are few and far between.                  

Today was my niece Kristina's bridal shower back at home.  I felt bad missing it, but I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be.  I set up with my other niece Tara to Skype with Kristina at the end of her shower as a surprise. Well, it worked out perfectly and it was nice seeing everyone and especially talking and seeing Kristina.  I would like to thank my brother Rob (Kristina's father) for waving a Corona in front to me, knowing all I have been drinking here is water and herbal tea (love ya Rob).

With summer approaching here, it is getting warmer, so starting this week there is a change in the schedule.  We start hiking earlier in the day to avoid the heat of the day.

We leave for the hike at 06:30...yuck

We also don't get breakfast until we return from the hike, not sure I am going to like that since I have been eating breakfast at 07:00 the last 3 weeks.  We are encouraged to take a snack to have in the morning or on the hike. I will have almonds( 12 almonds for 100 cal) and a banana.

I do not have to attend the lectures in green as I have done them all my first week, the red Gym Class I need to do.

Well, starting my last week here tomorrow, looking forward to a great week!
.
.
.
.
Ok, I was convinced to tell this story that happened to me today.
The speed limits here change very frequently between 30, 40 and 50mph.  I was also told that the police will pull you over and give you a ticket for only going over by a few mph. That being the case I was very aware of my speed and I was driving along looking for a turn off and realized I missed it so I take the next road and am going to turn around..when I see flashing lights behind me. The officer comes out and asks me if I am aware that the speed limit had changed from 30 to 40 to 50, I told him no and he said he pulled me over for impeding traffic!  He takes my driver's license for about 10 minutes and then gives me a citation for impeding traffic.  All good, means nothing, just a warning.  He told me he is required to either write a ticket or a citation whenever he pulls someone over. He also said they pull you over in case it may be a medical situation. Can't believe I got pulled over for going to slow!!

Day 20 - Freedom Thy Colour is Red

Friday night I was getting a little bit stir crazy so I went online and looked into renting a car for the weekend.

Enterprise had a great weekend price so I arranged it on line.

Saturday morning I hiked West Canyon again, it is a nice, relatively even hike and one you can have your ipod on and go at your own pace.
I did not go to my last class of my half day because I was being picked up by the car rental company. So we get there and what do they have waiting for me but a nice red HHR (if some of you don' t know I drive a blue HHR at home).  I was so excited and was very comfortable in it.
First stop since I was not on the resort was lunch at Subway, don't worry I stayed within my calories and it was very yummy!  Next I did some shopping here and there, buying some scar stuff for my leg and a new pair  of jeans and I think 3 tops (hey I need something to wear that is not work out gear and the clothes I brought are getting big :)
I was home in time to throw my clothes in to wash and then head down to dinner. Saturday night is graduation night and they show a video highlighting the week here, it was very funny.
Tonight we went bowling, lots of fun. I bowled a 107 with the bumper pads up and then a 103 without the bumper pads so I was happy.
Tomorrow a full of rest and new people arrive.

Day 18 & 19 - Stop Sign and Sand

So, Thursday I did Stop Sign hike again (everyone does that hike once a week).  The good think is that I took 5 minutes off my time.

Peach Cobbler...yummy!

Friday, the hike I did was Fern Gulley, sometimes I wonder how they come up with these names.

Everything was very good today

The hike was very pretty, but again I did have to plod my way through a lot of sand.

My hiking group had an extra treat on our hike.  One of the guests is studying to be an opera singer and she gave us a sample of her beautiful voice.

Fridays here are always a little bit more relaxed.  We still have our 3 afternoon classes, but the trainers do not mind if you switch up what you want to do or if you want to double up on 1 class and don't do another as long as you do participate.  Friday's classes are a water class, circuit training and zumba.  I skipped zumba and doubled up on circuit training.

Tomorrow is only half day and then I am off till Monday, starting my last week here.  I can't believe that I have been here 3 weeks, the time has just flown by.

Day 17 - No Falling Today

Another Wednesday, another sore day.  I started the day with stretch class at 6am, it was good and needed.

Best breakfast!

The hike I went on today was Hidden Pinnion which I did 2 weeks ago and fell and scraped my leg on.  Good news I managed not to fall today!

Piano Rock

I did do my scheduled pool class today and it was so nice to be back in the water.  I also had one of my favorite classes, kickboxing.

All around it was a good day, and at supper tonight I don't know when I have laughed so much.  We were getting strange looks from other tables and at one point I even spit my water out.

I can't believe that wednesday is already over, the week is just flying by.

Day 16 - Doing it Again only Better

Today's hike was Temple Quarry which I did 2 weeks ago.  I didn't mind doing it again and the good thing was that I was able to hike a lot further than I had previously in the allotted time.

Everything was very good today

Beautiful cactus on my hike

And yes, I drank all my water that I had brought ( I have a 2L Camelbak).  Felt better today and was able to eat all my food today.

I have been out of the pool since last tuesday and I think I am ready to head back in starting tomorrow, as my leg is healing up very nicely.  The one problem with not going in the pool is having to double up on one of my other classes.  So today I doubled up on total body toning, the good thing was that I had 2 different trainers, so they both worked the muscles a bit different.

One more thing, I want to thank my great hike guide 'Tim' today for all his encouragement .